Stacking type pallet



April 13, 156s l. ENTE.. 3,177,452?.v

STACKING TYPE PALLET Filed May 20, 1964 FW j,

United States Patent O M 3,177,823 STACKING TYPE PALLET Irving Entel, 867 Bergen St., New York, N.Y. Filed May 20, 1964, Ser. No. 368,829 3 Claims. (Cl. 10S-53) This invention relates generally to the field of stacking-type pallets adapted to be handled by fork lift trucks and similar transporting devices, and more particularly to an improved form thereof which may be engaged from any one of four sides with equal facility. Devices of thisgeneral type are well-known in the art, and the invention lies in specific constructional details which permit a number of advantages.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved stacking-type pallet or skid which may be lifted from any of four sides to speed fork lift operation with complete safety to personnel and content.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved stacking-type pallet which may be employed as a storage container and which may replace cartons and other Vmakeshift receptacles which require a great deal more iioor space.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved palletof the class described which 'includes reinforced side walls to permit stacking three or four high, depending upon storage or shipping requirements. v

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that all sharp edges have been substantially eliminated, thereby permitting the use of the device for storage of relatively fragile articles of any shape or configuration.

Another feature of the invention lies in the fact that the cost of manufacture of the device may be of a reasonably low order, thereby permitting consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the course of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout thev several views.

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is another View in perspective of the embodiment, as might be seen from the left-hand portion of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a view i-n perspective similar to that seen in FIGURE l, but showing a pair of devices in stacked relation.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view.

FIGURE 5 is a view in'elevation as seen from the right-hand portion of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal sectional view as seen from the plane 6 6 in FIGURE 4.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, may be employed in conjunction with a conventional fork vlift truck 11 having a pair of elevating members 12 mounted on a vertical frame 13 and movable in a vertical plane by means of hydraulic jack means 14. As will more fully appear, the device may be engaged from any one of four sides with equal facility.

The device 10 comprises broadly: a horizontal frame element 16; first and second vertical frame elements 17 and 18, respectively; and first and second base rail elements 19 and 20.

The horizontal frame element 16 includes first and c Patented Apr. 13, 1965 ICC second longitudinally disposed frame members 21 and 22, respectively, each having a pair of rectangular openings 23 which are spaced apart from each other a distance substantially equal to the distance between the elevating members 12 of the fork lift truck 11. Interconnecting the frame members 21 and 22 are first, second, third, fourth and fifth lateral frame members 24, 25, 26, 27 and 2S, respectively. Overlying the frame members 24-28 is a metal flooring suitably Welded to each, and to the first and second frame members 21 and 22.

The first and second vertical frame elements 17 and 1S are substantially similar, each including first and second vertical channel-shaped members 34 and 35, respectively, the same being interconnected by first, second and third transverse members 36, 37 and 38, again preferably by Welding. l Y

Disposed above the first transverse member 35 and Welded to the upper ends of the vertical members 34 and 35 is a rail member 39 of generally U-shaped cross section and defining an upwardly-facing recess 40.

As best seen in FIGURE 5 the vertical members 34 and 35 each include a lower intermediate area 41 which is Welded to the longitudinal frame members 21 and 22, and a lower end 42 which is welded to the first or second base rail elements 19 or 20. Where desired, the vertical frame elements 17 and 18 are provided with Wooden side walls -43each being bounded by a bottom edge 44, an upper edge 45, and side edges 46 and 47 which preferably extend outwardly of the vertical members 34 and 35. These are secured to the vertical members 34 and 35 by screw means 43; Welded to an outer surface of the members 34-35 are track members 49 of channelshaped cross section each of Which support a slidably engaged wooden end member 50. It will be understood that although only one of said end members 50 is illustrated, where it is desired to form a complete enclosure, the opposite end may be provided with a. similar end member (not shown). Each end member 50 is bounded by a bottom edge S1 which rests upon the flooring 29, side edges 52 and 53 engageable within a track member 49, and a top edge 55 which lies in a common plane with the upperedges 45 of the side Walls 43.

The first and second base rail elements 19 and 20 are similar, each including a pair of angularly disposed end members 58 welded to the longitudinal frame members 21 and 22, respectively, and interconnected with the' opposite ends of longitudinal rail members 59 which are of width corresponding to the recess 40 in the rails 39.

Referring to FIGURE 6, it will be observed that the second and fourth lateral frame members 25 and 27 are of considerably greater width than the first, third and fifth members 24, 26 and 28, respectively, and that this Width is substantially equal to the Width of the openings 23.

Where the device 10 is engaged as seen in FIGURE 1 such that the elevating members 12 enter beneath the horizontal frame element 16 in a longitudinal direction, all of the lateral frame members 24-28 contribute to supporting the load, since all are engaged at the moment of lift. Where, however, the device 10 is engaged as seen in FIGURE 2 in the drawing, wherein the elevating members 12 penetrate the openings 23, the load is substantially borne by the second and fourth frame members 25 and 27, thereby shielding the flooring 29 from any direct contact with the elevating members 12. Thus, it is possible to approach the device 10 with a .fork lift truck 11 in any desired direction, with equal facility.

Referring to FIGURE 3, depending upon the weight of the load (not shown), a plurality of devices 10 may be placed in stacked rel-ation by fitting the rail members 59 into the upwardly facing recess 40 of the rails 39 of a device 10 disposed therebeneath. This engagement prohibits any transverse motion, by virtue of said engagement, and longitudinal motion is limited by the static friction developed therebetween.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modications will occur to those skilled in the `art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. In a stacking-type pallet, including a horizontal frame element and a pair of vertical frame elements fixed to said horizontal frame element, theimprovement cornprising: a pair of base rail elements of elongated configuration and interconnected to said horizontal and vertical frame elements, said base rail elements forming means for supporting said pallet upon a horizontally disposed surface such that said horizontal frame element is in spaced relation with respect thereto; said vertical frame elements each having an elongated rail-receiving member upon the upper edge thereof, said rail-receiving members each having a recess corresponding in coniiguration and location to a rail element disposed directly therebeneath, thereby tov receive the base rail element of a second pallet positioned thereupon in stacked relation.

2. In Va stacking-ty-pe pallet, including a horizontal frame element and a pair of verticalA frame elements xed to said horizontal frame element, the improvement comprising: a pair of base rail elements of elongated conguration and interconnected to said horizontal and vertical frarne elements, said base rail elements forming means for supporting said pallet upon a horizontally disposed surface such that said horizontal frame element second pallet positioned thereupon in stacked relation; said rail elements extending below the level of said horizontal frame element and defining openings therebetween for the introduction of fork lifting means.

3. In a stacking-type pallet, including a horizontal frame element and a pair of vertical frame elements fixed to said horizontal frame element, the improvement comprising: a pair of base rail elements of elongated configuration and interconnected to said horizontal and vertical frame elements, said base rail elements forming means for supporting said pallet upon a horizontally disposed surface such that said vhorizontal frame element is in spaced relation with respect thereto; `said vertical frame elements each having an elongated rail-receiving member upon the upper edge thereof, said rail-receiving members each having a recess corresponding in conguration and location to a rail element disposed directly therebeneath, thereby to receive the base rail element of a second :pallet positioned thereupon in stacked relation; said rail elements extending below the level of said horizontal tframe element .and defining openings therebetween for the introduction of fork lifting means; said horizontal frame elements including elongated brace members having a planar lower surface substantially aligned with said openings.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,046,095 6/36 Shaw 10S-53 2,579,685 12/51 Loose 10S-55 X 2,728,544 12/55 Ayre etal 108-53 2,935,283 5/60 Berry 108-53 2,956,763 10/60 DAraa 108-56 X 3,091,195 5/63 Kenyon et al 10S-53 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A STACKING-TYPE PALLET, INCLUDING A HORIZONTAL FRAME ELEMENT AND A PAIR OF VERTICAL FRAME ELEMENTS FIXED TO SAID HORIZONTAL FRAME ELEMENT, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: A PAIR OF BASE RAIL ELEMENTS OF ELONGATED CONFIGURATION AND INTERCONNECTED TO SAID HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL FRAME ELEMENTS, SAID BASE RAIL ELEMENTS FORMING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SID PALLET UPON A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED SURFACE SUCH THAT SAID HORIZONAL FRAME ELEMENT IS IN SPACED RELATION WITH RESPECT THERETO; SAID VERTICAL FRAME ELEMENTS EACH HAVING AN ELONGATED RAIL-RECEIVING MEMBER UPON THE UPPER EDGE THEREOF, SAID RAIL-RECEIVING MEMBERS EACH HAVING A RECESS CORRESPONDING IN CONFIGURATION AND LOCATION TO A RAIL ELEMENT DISPOSED DIRECTLY THEREBENEATH, THEREBY TO RECEIVE THE BASE RAIL ELEMENT OF A SECOND PALLET POSITIONED THEREUPON IN STACKED RELATION. 